JPH07186456A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sequentially count up a reference number row and a bar code to print and to simultaneously print the row and a bar code symbol by storing specific processing program in a program memory of a ROM. CONSTITUTION:A controller C for a tape printer variously calculates by a CPU 20 based on various programs stored in a ROM 21. When a keyboard 3 connected to an input/output interface 25 is operated, a character, a numeric character are stored in a RAM 30, displayed on a display unit DM, and printed by a printing mechanism PM. A program memory 22 of the ROM 21 stores a program 22g for setting numbering times, a program 22a for setting a numbering range, a program 22c for counting up a bar code, a program 22b for counting up a numeric character row, and a program 22e for printing a reference number and a bar code symbol until reaching the numbering counts.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of simultaneously printing a serial number sequence consisting of numbers and characters and a bar code, and particularly to sequentially counting up and printing serial number sequence consisting of numbers and characters. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of simultaneously counting and printing barcodes on the same print medium at the same time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus has been put into practical use, which is capable of sequentially counting up and printing a serial number sequence consisting of not only numbers but also letters with alphabetical characters and Japanese syllabary characters. JP-A-5-1856
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 95, it is possible to sequentially count up and print a number, a number existing in a designated range in a numbered sequence of mixed characters, or a designated number, or a character. There is disclosed a printing apparatus that can sequentially count up and print a serial number sequence by ignoring a symbol that cannot be counted even if the symbol is included.

Further, conventionally, computer processing of data processing in inventory management of products and sales and sales has been generally performed, and in such a case, in order to facilitate data input to the computer. A bar code in which a plurality of bars represent an identification number, a serial number, etc. that can be instantly read by a reading device is often used.
However, such a barcode, which is easy to input data into a computer, is indistinguishable when it is visually recognized by a human without a reading device, and its handling is inconvenient.

Therefore, it seems that a serial number sequence consisting of numbers, letters, etc. should be printed together with the barcode.
The serial number sequence is handled and printed as character data in the printing device, and the barcode is handled and printed as dot pattern data.Therefore, serial number sequences and barcodes of different data formats are simultaneously processed. It was difficult to print. In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-177898 discloses
A bar code printing apparatus has been proposed which includes data conversion means for converting input character data into dot pattern data, and can handle a serial number sequence and a bar code at the same time by handling as dot pattern data during printing. .

[0005]

However, according to the invention disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-185695, a serial number sequence in which numbers and characters are mixed is sequentially counted up and printed. However, since it does not have a configuration for printing barcodes, or a configuration for sequentially counting up and printing barcodes, it is not possible to print numbering labels that include barcodes, which may meet market demands. There was a problem that I could not.

According to the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-177898, a bar code and a serial number sequence can be simultaneously written and printed at the same time. Although it has the advantage of not being able to recognize the contents of the code at first glance, it does not have a configuration for sequentially counting up and printing bar codes, and a configuration for sequentially counting up the serial number sequence in accordance with this. Therefore, in order to sequentially count up the barcode and serial number sequence, it is necessary to re-enter the barcode data and serial number sequence data each time, and counting up numbering is required. If you do, the handling is complicated,
There was a problem that the work efficiency of the numbering process was poor.

Further, even if the above-mentioned prior arts are combined, it is not possible to sequentially count up and print the bar code, and it is only possible to sequentially count up and print the numbering sequence consisting of numbers, characters, etc. There is still a problem that the conventional problems that occur when only the barcode is used have not been solved.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to sequentially count up and print a serial number sequence consisting of characters, numbers, etc. and a bar code. Aiming to provide a printing device capable of simultaneously printing a serial number sequence consisting of letters, numbers and the like and a barcode symbol, and also improving the visual distinctiveness of barcode data to improve work efficiency in product management, etc. The purpose is to dramatically improve.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input means for inputting characters, numbers, commands, etc., and a bar code for converting numeric data input from the input means into bar code data. Data conversion means, a display for displaying serial number sequence data consisting of characters and numbers input from the input means and bar code data converted from numeric data by the bar code data conversion processing, and input from the input means. Data storing means for storing the serial number sequence data and the barcode data converted from the numerical data by the barcode data conversion processing, and the serial number data and the barcode data stored in the data storing means for printing dots. Data conversion means for converting into pattern data and the dot pattern data for printing are stored In a printing apparatus provided with a print data storage means, numbering number setting means for sequentially counting up the serial number string data and barcode data stored in the data storage means to set the number of times of numbering processing, and the numbering Numbering range designation means for designating a range to be processed, and bar code data stored in the data storage means are sequentially counted up from the initial value to the number set by the numbering number setting means and stored in the data storage means. Bar code count-up processing means, and the data storage while sequentially counting up the numerical code data from the serial number string data stored in the data storage means from the initial value to the number set by the numbering number setting means. Numeric sequence key to be stored in the means Comprising a Ntoappu processing unit, reference number column on the basis of the print dot pattern data stored in the print data storing means, and printing means for printing bar code symbols until reaching the numbering count as a constituent.

[0010]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the numerical data for bar code data inputted from the input means is converted into bar code data by the bar code data converting means and stored in the data storing means, and at the same time, the bar code. The serial number string data, which is displayed as a symbol on the display and is composed of characters and numbers input by the input means, is stored in the data storage means and is displayed on the display as a serial number string.

Further, the number of numbering processes for sequentially counting up and printing each data of the bar code data and the serial number sequence data stored in the data storage means is set by the numbering number setting means, and the bar code data and the serial number are arranged. The numbering range designating unit designates a range in which the numbering process is performed on each data of the number string data.

The bar code data which is one of the data stored in the data storage means is sequentially counted up from the initial value by the bar code data count up processing means to the number set by the numbering number setting means. Numerical code data of the serial number string data, which is another one of the data stored in the storage means and stored in the input data storage means, is set from the initial value by the count-up processing means by the numbering number setting means. The data is stored in the data storage means while being sequentially counted up to the number of times.

In this way, the code data and bar code data of the serial numbers serially counted up by the respective count-up processing means and the code data of the characters not subjected to the count-up processing are printed by the data converting means. It is converted into dot pattern data for use and stored in the print data storage means. The print dot pattern data stored in the print data storage means is printed by the print processing means as a serial number sequence and a bar code symbol until the number of times set by the numbering number setting means is reached.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a tape printer will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tape printing apparatus 1, in which a keyboard 3 is arranged in front of a main body frame 2 of the tape printing apparatus 1, and a printing mechanism is provided in a main body frame 2 at a rear portion of the keyboard 3. PM is arranged. Further, the main body of the tape printer 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display 4 capable of displaying characters, symbols and bar code symbols.

Here, on the keyboard 3, a cursor movement key 3a for moving the cursor K displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 to the left and right, and the input mode is changed from the character / numeric input mode to the bar code data input mode. A bar code data input key 3b, a numbering range designation key 3c for starting a designation process of a range to be numbered, the above-mentioned keys, a line feed and a start point of various setting ranges,
A return key 3d for determining the end point and executing various commands, a character key CH for inputting characters and symbols,
Number keys N for inputting numbers, print number P for instructing to print a serial number sequence and bar code on the printing tape via the printing mechanism PM, space key 3e, and other operations of the tape printer 1. Various keys required for the above are provided.

The liquid crystal display 4 has a character key C under display control by the display controller DC.
It displays various data input from the H, number keys N, etc., and also displays a simplified barcode symbol BS when barcode data is input. Further, when the numbering range designation key 3c is pressed, the range to be numbered is selected and designated on the liquid crystal display 4.

Further, the printing mechanism PM will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the plane of the printing mechanism in the tape printer 1. A detachable tape storage cassette CS is mounted on the printing mechanism PM. The tape storage cassette CS has a tape spool 6 on which a printing tape 5 of a predetermined width made of a transparent film is wound, and ink. A ribbon supply spool 8 around which the ribbon 7 is wound, a take-up spool 9 around which the ink ribbon 7 is wound, and a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 are wound with the release paper outside. Supply spool 1
1 and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatably installed.

A thermal head 13 is erected at a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap each other.
A platen roller 14 that presses the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 are rotatably supported by a support 16. In the thermal head 13, a heating element group composed of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 3
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the tape printer 1. The tape printer 1 is configured with a control device C as a core. The control device C includes a CPU 20 that performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 21, and a program memory 22 that stores various programs. R provided
OM21, a CGROM 23 in which display dot pattern data for a large number of characters is stored in association with code data, and outline data that defines the outline of the character for each character to print the character Outline data ROM 24, C stored in the
RAM30 for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by PU20, each CPU20, ROM21, CG
ROM23, outline data ROM24, RAM3
0 is connected to each other and a bus 26 is connected to the input / output interface 25.

In the program memory 22 provided in the ROM 21, a number string to be numbered, a numbering range designating program 22a for designating a bar code, and a number sequence for sequentially counting up a number string designated to be numbered. Up processing program 22b, barcode counting up processing program 22c for sequentially counting up the numbered bar code, outline data corresponding to each code data in the text memory 31 is converted into dot pattern data and expanded in the print buffer. The image processing program 22d for executing the image processing, and the print processing program 22 for sequentially reading the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer and printing it on the printing tape 5 via the printing mechanism PM.
e, a barcode data conversion processing program 22f for converting the numeric data input at the time of inputting the barcode data, a numbering number setting program 22g for setting the number of times the numbering process is performed, and other necessary for the control of the word processor 1. Various programs such as a display control program are stored.

This bar code data conversion processing program 22f is based on the JAN (Japan Article Number) standard and standardizes 13 numerical data including a data character (12 digit display) and a modular check character (1 digit numeric). It is for converting into the barcode data of the specifications. That is, the bar code data includes 3 modules for the left guard bar, 42 modules for the left six data characters, 5 modules for the center bar, 35 modules for the five right data characters, and 7 for the modular check character. Modules and light guard bars are converted into 3 modules.

Further, the RAM 30 has various memory areas, and the text memory 31 for storing the document data and the like inputted from the character keys CH, the number keys N, etc., and the image development processing program 22d read out the data to be printed. An image pointer (the content is referred to as a data pointer value IP) in which the top address of the text memory 31 is stored to create dot pattern data.
In the count-up processing program 22b and the bar-code count-up processing program 22c, a counter that counts up (this content is referred to as a counter value M) or the end address of the text memory 31 for reading the bar code data is stored. A character size memory 3 for storing a data pointer (this content is a data pointer value DP) and a set character size.
2. A barcode buffer 33 for storing data of a data character consisting of 13 digits for printing a barcode, and a print buffer 34 for storing print data.
Etc.

Further, the input / output interface 25 includes
When the keyboard 3 and the display device DM are connected and the character key CH, the numeric key N, etc. on the keyboard 3 are pressed, the characters and numbers corresponding to the pressed character key CH, the numeric key N, etc. When inputting the serial number string data such as, and the bar code data, the numerical data is converted into the bar code data and stored in the text memory 31, and is also displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 via the display controller DC and the display memory 4a. , Its serial number sequence, and the barcode symbol are displayed. Further, a print mechanism PM is connected to the input / output interface 25, and the print key P on the keyboard 3 is connected.
When is pressed, the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 34 is printed on the printing tape 5 via the printing mechanism PM.

Next, the basic operation of the tape printer 1 constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a program corresponding to the basic operation of the tape printer 1. When the power is turned on, the text memory 31 and the like are initialized (S1), and then it is determined whether or not there is a key input (S).
2). If no key input is made, wait until there is a key input (S2: NO), and if a key input is made (S2: YES), the input key is the character key CH,
It is determined whether or not it is the numeric key N (S3). Here, the input mode after the initialization (S1) is performed is always set to the character / number input mode.

When the input keys are the character key CH and the numeric key N (S3: YES), the code data corresponding to the keys are stored in the text memory 31 in the order of input (S4) and the display controller DC. The input contents are displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 via. The entered key is the bar code data input key 3b.
In the case of (S6: YES), the input mode is switched to the barcode input mode, and the barcode data input processing described later is started (S7).

Further, when the input key is not the bar code data input key 3b (S6: NO), it is judged whether or not it is the numbering range designation key 3c for designating the range to which the numbering process is applied (S8). If it is the numbering range designation key 3c (S8: YES), the numbering range designation processing program 22a described later is executed (S9). If the input key is not the numbering range designation key 3c (S8: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the print key P (S10), and if it is the print key P (S10: YES), it will be described later. The print processing program 22e (S11) is executed. If the input key is not the print key P (S10: NO), the process corresponding to the input key is executed (S12).

Next, the bar code data input process will be described first with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a barcode data input processing program, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal display 4 during barcode input processing. As shown in the figure, first, the display switches to the bar code input screen in which the start mark SM is displayed at the top display position of the liquid crystal display 4 (S20), and the bar code start code is stored in the bar code buffer 33 (S21). . Next, the number key N
When is input (S22, S23: YES), the numerical code corresponding to the numeral is stored in the barcode buffer 33 (S24), the dot pattern corresponding to the numerical code is read from the CGROM, and is displayed in the display memory 4a. While being output and displayed at the position of the cursor K, the cursor K is moved to the right of the cursor K (S25), and the simplified bar code symbol BS is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 to the right of the cursor K via the display controller DC. Is displayed and the process returns to S22.

The entered key is not a numeric key (S2
3: NO), in the case of the return key 3d (S26: Y
ES), the check digit is calculated from the numerical code stored in the barcode buffer 33 according to a predetermined arithmetic expression (stored in the ROM 21), and the numerical code corresponding to the result is the barcode buffer. It is stored in 33 (S27).

Then, it is judged whether or not a 13-digit numerical code is stored in the bar code buffer 33 (S2).
8) If the 13-digit numerical code is stored (S28: YES), the barcode end code is additionally stored in the barcode buffer 33 (S29), and all the code strings in the barcode buffer 33 are stored. Is text memory 3
1 (S30), the barcode buffer 33 and the display memory 4a are cleared (S3).
1), this program ends. At this time, the liquid crystal display 4 displays the start mark SM, the bar code symbol BS, and the cursor K following the text.
On the other hand, when the 13-digit numeric code is not stored in the barcode buffer 33 (S28: NO), the warning buzzer sounds (S32).

Next, the numbering range designation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 13. 6 is a flowchart of the numbering range designation processing program 22a, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal display 4 when designating the numbering range. First, it is determined whether the numbering range can be designated (S
40) If the numbering range is already specified for both the barcode and the number string, the numbering range cannot be specified (S40: NO) and the warning buzzer sounds (S48). On the other hand, when the numbering range can be designated (S40: YES), it is determined whether or not the current position of the cursor K is under the barcode symbol BS (S41), and the cursor K is positioned under the barcode symbol BS. If so (S41: YES), it waits until a key input is made (S42: NO). When the key is input (S42: YES) and the input key is the return key 3d (S43: YES), the start point and the end point indicating the end point and end point of the numbering range are stored in the text memory 31. The bar code data is inserted immediately after the start code and immediately before the end code (S
44).

On the other hand, the entered key is the return key 3d.
If (S43: NO) is the cursor movement key 3a (S45: YES), it is determined whether or not the cursor K can be moved (S46), and if the cursor can be moved (S46: YES). (YES) The cursor K on the liquid crystal display 4 is moved and the process proceeds to S49 to specify the numbering range for displaying characters and numbers (serial number sequence). If the entered key is not the cursor movement key 3a (S4
5: NO), if the cursor K cannot be moved (S46:
In both cases, the warning buzzer sounds.

When the cursor K is not located under the bar code symbol BS (S41: NO), it is determined whether the cursor K is located under the character / numerical display CN (S49), When the cursor K is located below the character / numerical display CN (S49: YES), the character / numeric display CN on the cursor K is reversed to display CN '(S50). On the other hand, when the cursor K is not located under the character / numerical display CN, the warning buzzer sounds and the process ends.

Here, regarding the display of characters and numbers, since the range can be specified, the range is specified as follows. Subsequent to the reverse display processing in S50, the key input is awaited until a key input is made (S51: NO), and when a key input is made (S51: YES), the input key is the cursor movement key 3a. It is determined whether or not (S52), and when the cursor movement key 3a is pressed (S52).
52: YES) It is determined whether the movement is possible (S53). If the result of the determination is that the cursor K cannot be moved (S53: NO), a warning buzzer sounds, and if the cursor K can be moved (S53: YES), whether or not the range start point has been determined. Is determined (S54), and if the start point has already been determined (S54: YES), the cursor K
Moves on the liquid crystal display 4, and the display of characters and numbers from the start point to the current position of the cursor K is highlighted (S55), and then the process returns to S51.

On the other hand, if the range start point has not been determined (S54: NO), the cursor K moves to the liquid crystal display 4
While moving up, the character / number display CN on the moved cursor K is highlighted CN ′ (S56), and S
Return to 51. In S51, if the input key is not the cursor movement key 3a (52: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the return key 3d (S57). If it is not the return key 3d (S57: NO), a warning is issued. The buzzer sounds. When the input key is the return key 3d (S57: YES), it is determined whether the range starting point has been determined (S58), and when the range starting point has not been determined (S58: NO). , The current position of the cursor K becomes the start point of the specified range, and the start point code is inserted immediately before the code data in the text memory 31 corresponding to the character and number above the current position of the cursor K (S6).
0). As a result, the starting point of the designated range is determined, and the operation returns to S51 to determine the ending point.

On the other hand, if the range start point has already been determined (S
58: YES) The current position of the cursor K becomes the end point of the specified range, and the end point code is inserted immediately after the code data in the text memory 31 corresponding to the character and number above the current position of the cursor K (S59) Numbering process Is determined, and the numbering range designation processing program 22a ends.

Next, the print processing program 22e for printing the data input based on the above programs on the print tape will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the print processing program 22e. When the print key P is pressed, first, the text memory 3
It is determined whether or not the text data is stored in 1 (S70), and if the text data is not stored (S70: NO), the warning buzzer sounds. On the other hand, if the text data is stored in the text memory 31 (S70: YES), the numbering number setting processing program 22g is executed (S71).

The numbering number setting processing program 22g will be described with reference to FIGS. here,
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the numbering number setting processing program, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the display during the numbering number setting processing. When the numbering number setting processing program 22g is started, the display on the liquid crystal display 4 is switched as shown in FIG. 14 (S80), and the key input by the numeric key N is awaited (S81: NO). Then, when there is an input by the numeric key N (S81: YES), the number of numbering is set (S82), and when the return key is pressed (S83: YES), the number of numbering is fixed and the program ends. . On the other hand, when there is a key input other than the return key (S83: NO), the warning buzzer sounds (S84) and the program ends.

Numbering number setting processing program 22
When g (S71) is completed, the set number of sheets is set in the counter as the counter value M (S72), and subsequently, the image developing process for developing the text data in the print buffer 34 is performed (S73). This image development processing program will be described with reference to FIG. here,
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the image development processing program.

When the image development processing program is started, the head address in the text memory 31 is set in the image pointer value IP (S90), and the code data of the address designated by the image pointer value IP is read (S91). Then, it is determined whether the read code data is a character code (S9).
2) If it is a character code (S92: YES), the enlargement ratio is obtained based on the data of the set character size, and the outline data is enlarged using this enlargement ratio, and dots are extracted from this outline data. Print data that is pattern data is created (S93) and stored in the print buffer 34 (S94). Then, the image pointer value IP is incremented by 1 (S9
5) Further, it is determined whether or not text data exists in the text memory 31 (S96). When the text data exists (S96: YES), the procedure returns to S91,
If the text data does not exist (S96: NO), the image development program ends.

On the other hand, if the code data designated by the image pointer value IP and read in S92 is not a character code (S92: NO), it is determined whether or not it is a bar code start code (S97). When the read code data is barcode start data (S9
7: YES), the data of the data character consisting of the 13-digit number stored as the barcode data over the end code is read from the next address (S9).
8) The data character is converted into standard specification bar code data by the above bar code data conversion processing program, and the height of the bar code symbol is preset based on the converted standard specification bar code data. The dot pattern of the barcode is created so as to have the same size (S99).

The dot pattern of the barcode thus created is stored in the print buffer 34 (S100),
Then, after the address of the end code is set to the data pointer value (S101), the process proceeds to S95. When it is determined in S97 that the data is not the barcode start data (S97: NO), the command corresponding to the read code data, for example, space data is stored in the print buffer 34 (S102) and the process proceeds to S95.

Image development processing (S7
When step 3) is completed, it is determined whether the numbering process needs to be performed (S74). At this time, if the numbering start code and the end code are stored in the text memory 31 and the number of times of numbering is set to 2 or more, it is determined that the numbering process is necessary (S74: YES), and the counting is performed. The up processing program 22b is executed (S75). On the other hand, if even one of the above conditions is missing, it is determined that the count-up process is unnecessary (S74: NO), and the contents of the print buffer 34 are printed on the printing tape 5 (S79).

Here, the count-up processing program 2
2b will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the count-up processing program 22b for character and numeric code data, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the count-up processing program 22c for bar code data. First, it is determined whether or not the count-up of the number corresponding to the set number of times has been completed (S110), and if it has been completed (S110: YES), the count-up processing program 22b is ended.

When the count up of the number corresponding to the set number of times of numbering is not completed yet (S11
If 0: NO, it is determined whether or not there is a barcode numbering start point code in the text memory 31 (S).
111). When the numbering start point code of the barcode is stored (S111: YES), the barcode count up process is performed. On the other hand, when the barcode numbering is not designated (S111: NO)
Proceeds to S113.

Here, the bar code count-up process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the end address of the data character consisting of 13 digits of the bar code data stored in the text memory 31 is set in the data pointer value DP (S130), and the data character indicated by the data pointer value DP is read. (S131). Then, it is determined whether or not the read code data is code data indicating any of the numbers "0" to "9" (S132), and the number "0" is set.
~ If the code data is any of "9" (S
132: YES), and it is further determined whether or not the code data is the code data of the number "9" (S1).
33).

When the read data is the code data of the number "9" (S133: YES), the data designated by the data pointer value DP is replaced with the code data of the number "0" (S134). Data pointer value D
P is incremented by 1 (S135). And
It is determined whether or not other barcode data is stored in the text memory 31 (S136), and if other barcode data is stored (S136: YES), S
Return to 131, and if not stored (S136: N
O) This program ends.

By the way, in S133, when the read data is not the code data of the number "9" (S133: NO), the data designated by the data pointer value DP is counted up and replaced based on the numerical arrangement order. (S137), the process proceeds to S141. On the other hand, S13
When the data read in 2 is not the code data of the numbers "0" to "9" (S132: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the bar code data start code (S1).
38) If it is the barcode data start code (S138: YES), the counter is incremented by 1 (S140) and it is determined whether or not the barcode printing style is set to check digit (C / D) ON. It is determined (S141).

If the print style is set to check digit ON (S141: YES), the check digit is calculated based on the numerical data input as the barcode data, and the check digit data is added (S142). Exit the program. On the other hand, if the print style is set to check digit OFF (S
141: NO), the program ends. If the read data is not the bar code data start code in S138 (S138: NO), the data pointer value DP is incremented by 1 (S139), and S1 is set.
Return to 31. Thus, the barcode count-up processing program 22c ends, and the process proceeds to S113 shown in FIG.

In S113, it is determined whether or not the numbering of the serial number sequence is designated in the text data, and if the numbering range designating code of the serial number sequence is stored in the text data (S113: YE).
S), the end address of the reference number string data in the text memory 31 is set in the data pointer value DP (S11
4) The code data designated by the data pointer value DP is read (S115). Then, it is determined whether or not the read code data is code data indicating any of the numbers "0" to "9" (S11).
6) If the code data is any one of the numbers "0" to "9" (S116: YES), it is further determined whether the code data is the code data of the number "9". (S117).

When the read data is the code data of the number "9" (S117: YES), the data designated by the data pointer value DP is replaced with the code data of the number "0" (S118). Data pointer value D
P is incremented by 1 (S119). And
It is determined whether or not other reference number string data is stored in the text memory 31 (S120), and if other reference number string data is stored (S120: YES) S
Return to 115 and if not stored (S120: N
O) This program ends.

By the way, in S117, when the read data is not the code data of the numeral "9" (S117: NO), the data pointed by the data pointer value DP is counted up and replaced based on the numerical arrangement order. (S121) The program ends. Also, S
The data read in 116 is the number "0"-
If the code data is not “9” (S116: NO), the program ends. When the count-up process (S75) is completed in this way, the counter value M is decremented by 1 (S76), and it is determined whether or not the counter value M is 1 (S77).

When the counter value M ≠ 1, (S77: N
O), the contents of the print buffer 34 are printed on the printing tape 5 (S78), and then the process returns to S73 and the count-up processed data is expanded in the print buffer 34. On the other hand, when the counter value M = 1 (S77: YES),
Since the set number of times has been processed, the contents currently stored in the print buffer 34 are printed on the printing tape 5 (S79), and the print processing program 22e is terminated. The printing tape 5 on which the contents of the text memory 31 are printed in this manner is fed by a tape feeding motor by a predetermined amount and then cut by a cutting cutter to form a label.

For example, by operating the numeric key N, the steps S2 to S4 in FIG. 4 are executed, the serial number string "012" is input, and then the bar code input key 3b and the numeric characters are input. By operating the key N and the return key 3d, the steps S2, S3, S6 and S7 are executed to input the bar code data "12345678890128", and further the numbering range designation key 3c, the cursor movement key 3a and the return key. It is assumed that by operating the key 3d, steps S2, S3, S6, S8, and S9 are executed, and the numbering range is designated in the serial number sequence “012” and the barcode data. In the above bar code data, the number entered from the beginning with the numeric key N is 12 digits, that is, "1 to 2", and the 13th digit "8" is a check digit S27 in FIG. Is calculated and input in.

Next, when the print key P is operated, the print processing of S11 is executed, and the number of numbered sheets is set to 9 in S71 of FIG. Then, in S73, the image development processing of the serial number sequence and the barcode data is executed, and the dot pattern data is converted into the print buffer 34.
And the dot pattern data is printed in S78 to obtain a print result as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the count-up processing is executed in S75, the reference number string is incremented to "013" and the bar code data is incremented to "12345678890135", and based on the data, as shown in FIG. The numbered sequence number “013” and the barcode are printed. When the count-up proceeds in sequence and the serial number sequence “019” and the barcode data “12345687019097” shown in FIG. 15C are printed, the count-up processing of these data is performed as shown in FIG.
Each step of S115 to S121 in 0 is executed, the reference number string becomes "020", and S131 to S14 in FIG.
Each step of 2 is executed and the bar code data becomes "12.
The number is incremented to "34567890203", and the serial number sequence "020" and the barcode shown in FIG. 15D are printed based on the data.

As described above in detail, since the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the bar code count-up processing program 22c for sequentially counting and printing the bar code, the bar code is sequentially counted up. In addition to being able to print on the printing tape 5, the work efficiency in the case of using a bar code to number products etc. is dramatically improved.

In addition to the bar code count-up processing program 22c, a count-up processing program 22b for sequentially counting up the serial number sequence is provided, and an image development processing program 22d for converting the barcode and serial number sequence into dot pattern data. Since the print processing program 22e for printing the dot pattern data is provided, it is possible to print on the same printing tape 5 while counting up the barcode symbol and the serial number sequence. Furthermore, since the barcode symbol and the serial number string can be printed on the same printing tape 5, it becomes possible to easily identify the contents of the barcode by human vision through the serial number string. The range of application such as product management using barcodes could be greatly expanded.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be easily guessed, for example,
In this embodiment, in the barcode data conversion processing, "E
AN (European Article Number) "and" CODE3
It can be converted into bar code data based on various bar code standards such as "9".

[0059]

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the barcode numbering means for sequentially counting up the barcode data and the data for converting the data stored in the input storage means into the printing dot pattern data. Since the conversion means is provided, it is possible to sequentially count up and print the serial number sequence consisting of letters, numbers, etc. and the barcode, and simultaneously print the serial number sequence consisting of letters, numbers, etc. and the barcode symbol. Can be processed. In addition, the visual identification of the barcode data can be improved, and the work efficiency in product management and the like can be dramatically improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a plane of a printing mechanism in the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the tape printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a basic operation of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a barcode data input processing program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a numbering range designation processing program.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a print processing program.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a numbering number setting processing program.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an image development processing program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a count-up processing program for character and numeral code data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a count-up processing program for barcode data.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal display 4 during a barcode input process.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of a liquid crystal display when designating a numbering range.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of the display during the numbering number setting process.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a print result obtained by performing a count-up process using the tape printer according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 tape printer 3 keyboard 3a cursor movement key 3b bar code data input key 3c numbering range designation key 3d return key 3e space key 4 liquid crystal display 20 CPU 21 ROM 22a numbering range designation processing program 22b count up processing program 22c bar code count up Processing program 22d Image development processing program 22e Printing processing program 23 CGROM 30 RAM 31 Text memory 33 Bar code buffer 34 Printing buffer K Cursor BS Bar code symbol CN Character and number display

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G06K 1/12 A (72) Inventor Kazuko Ishida 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input means capable of inputting characters, numbers, commands and the like, and bar code data conversion means for converting numerical data input from the input means into bar code data.
A serial number string data consisting of characters and numbers inputted from the input means and a bar code data converted from the numerical data by the bar code data conversion processing, and a serial number string data inputted from the input means. And data storage means for storing the bar code data converted from the numerical data by the bar code data conversion processing, and the serial number data and the bar code data stored in the data storage means are converted into printing dot pattern data. In a printing apparatus including a data conversion unit and a print data storage unit that stores the printing dot pattern data, the serial number string data and the bar code data stored in the data storage unit are sequentially counted up and printed. Numbering number setting procedure to set the number of numbering process A step, numbering range designating means for designating a range to be subjected to the numbering processing, and bar code data stored in the data storage means while sequentially counting up from the initial value to the number set by the numbering number setting means. Bar code count-up processing means to be stored in the data storage means, and numerical code data of the serial number sequence data stored in the data storage means are sequentially counted up from the initial value to the number set by the numbering number setting means. The number string count-up processing means to be stored in the data storage means, and the serial number series and the bar code symbol are printed until the number of times of numbering is reached based on the printing dot pattern data stored in the print data storage means. Having a print processing means Characteristic printing device.